…………………………………..With each group of clothing I like to offer at least one “STATEMENT PRINT”…..For the month of October I am presenting to you the…………BYZANTINE MOSAIC PRINT, A259615. I am always inspired by antiquity and the wonders and richness of the objects, architecture, art and artists that came before us…..What they achieved, with what today would be considered primitive means, is a marvel. For you Art History buffs, you may recall the splendid Byzantine mosaic of the Queen wearing her crown, and her garments incrusted with gems. That was the inspiration for this……..ENGINEERED PLACEMENT PRINT…………The intricacy of this print and the amount of screens used required the best printers at my disposal. This is not a print anyone could do…..it takes artisans to know how to layer the colors with each individual screen to achieve the desired result. I can tell you if this top were hanging….as is…..in any designer store such as a Dolce and Gabbana ,who are know for their archival inspired prints, this top would be $400 to $500 minimum……and probably more…. This print actually looks like a mosaic with jewels encrusted on the garment……I can’t stop looking at it!…….I have done many prints in my life and I think this is definitely one of if not the best. I truly loved, as you know, the tile print from this past summer, and if you loved that…..you will love this even more. The mosaic on the body of the top was designed to flatter and cause an optical illusion drawing the eye in. The sides of the print are SHADED to give more of an illusion of sculpting the body IN…..every little bit helps…LOL…..The giant jewels were also placed to flatter the shape of the body. The top has intricate borders of rows of mosaic tiles and gems. The sleeve repeats the border at the hem……The back of the top is exactly like the front……………
………………………….The color of the top in the photos above is called…………….CLAY……………It is the closest coloration to what an actual Byzantine mosaic might look like. The colors, and there are many, are very EARTHY……………..Ochre, sienna, brown, russet, khaki, yellow, white, citrine and black are just a few of the colors used to bring this print to life. In the photo above I have it paired with a simple Black WK pencil skirt, A237412………The top is approx 27 inches long for the xs. I will probably be showing this top with a legging….which one I haven’t decided yet….but…..I’m leaning towards the LINEA BODY LEGGING, A260034, in WALNUT. …….The fabric of this top is the polyester and spandex jersey that many of you love. It is a fabric I have used often for my print tops. It is durable, never pills and id practically wash and wear…..perfect for traveling. The jewelry is all from my archives, and who knows….it may one day be part of the LINEA JEWELRY COLLECTION…… For those of you who fall in love with this print as I have………….I know you will spend a goodly amount of time just looking at is, and discovering new things…….as you would look at a mosaic on a wall or on a floor in some ancient building or museum……I am sure this top will garner many compliments……………………………………………………enjoy………………..Much Love…………….Louis
Louis, I’ve never tried your poly/span tops (yet). I just received the newest Whisper Knit cardigan (with those gorgeous buttons) and love it. I also have two of the new V-Neck acrylic tunic sweaters – love them. I ordered everything above in size 1X. Will this new beautiful top look fab on a 1X? Is that the size I should order? I don’t mind sharing — I’m a 40DD. Thanks, Louis!
Dear Bonnie….I think this top will look FABULOUS on you, and I wouldn’t so so if I didn’t believe it. The print was designed to flatter the body…any shape any size. We fit on size small and 1x models so if you are a 1x it should be good. The print is also good to camouflage…….The sides are shaded to give the optical illusion of shape…..I would definitely say to give it a try….if you like it you may even want two colors…..this print is that special.
Louis, love this design….. can you tell me which of the three colors would go best with Olive Green? I tend to think the first, but sometimes the colors in a photo are misleading…..what is your choice????
Dear Delois….I tried all of them and the Clay and sea green both work with olive…all of them work with black and stone.
WOW, I had to pick my jaw up off the floor when I first saw this one…how does the Clay B Mosaic top work with the Stone pants that are still coming?
Oh my. As a jewel-tone girl, my eye immediately goes to the mulberry. But although I would not be able to wear the clay WK very successfully, the clay choice in this top intrigues me. So difficult to read color on the computer–help! Would you pair this would a black or grey WK bottom and the butter WK kimono? Thanks!
I’m always looking for tops to work with grey bottoms and the butter. (My recent favorite is the faux shantung skirt in olive with your vintage Gucci-inspired medallion top in olive with the butter kimono.) I have killer big emerald cut topaz in a thin gold wire setting earrings that would be especially good with what looks like a more amber yellow “gems” in the clay print.
Jmarie…you can definitely wear a gray or black bottom…..I suppose you could wear the cardigan over it, but it would not be my choice.
Thanks–it reads yellow tones on my screen, so good to get a correction. Mulberry it is!
I hope the large medallion necklace will be available for us and at least as long as your original shown in the photo. Except for your gorgeous two-strand gold bead necklace, I like to wear your 60-72″ necklaces the best.
Louis, I’ve put 2 of the colors on my shopping list. Beautiful! I think the necklace does have to be produced in the Linea collection. I actually saw it first before the mosaic print. I immediately thought “How clever…he took his 4 L’s from the signature button and made them into a filigree medallion station on gold chain…better than Chanel’s 2 C’s.” I want the Signature Linea chain when it comes available! I think the 4 L’s from the button would even be neat as a larger medallion made into a broach.
Any idea when they will be up for ordering?
Probably not until the show or near it anyway…Oct 27th
My poor credit card is on fire again. These mosaic prints are amazing and will be mine in all 3 colors! Along with the new suede jackets.
Louis, can you share your thoughts on which mosaic print top works best with each of the new suede jackets?
Many thanks for all of the beautiful pieces this Fall. I am loving them all.
It tells us something that clothing worn during the 15th century is just as attractive and magnetic to US as it was to the people who first wore it. We are all connected, we are one.
Fit for a Byzantine Queen !
I took art history courses in college just for fun. Because of my love for ancient art and architecture, these mosaic print tops will be mine in all three color combinations. When I enter an art gallery, my eyes sweep the room to see what instinctively draws my attention. This print would be one of those magnets. Thank you for sharing your inspirations in your designs for us.
Breathtakingly Beautiful
Thank you
These prints are exquisite. I already have two of the tile prints from the Summer. It looks like three “siblings” will be joining them. It I would be too difficult to decide among them. Bravo, Louis!
Are these the same fabric as your other print tops?
Thanks for your response.
Chris
Yes….the same as the tile print
Truly special and spectacular. Which color? LDO, you’re giving me a headache!
You are right. There is so much to see in this print. Zoom in/zoom out/slide over the photo/slide back… so interesting and captivating. It’s just the type of art that never gets tiresome, as there’s always some section that is seemingly fresh and new with depth and complexity without being “busy.” This is my fav coloration maybe due to the juxtaposition of the earthy dark, light, and mid-tones. Can’t wait to get this one home and get the gold outta the box to wear with it. Cheers!
Oh Louis, you have absolutely blown me away with this print! The clay and green will definitely be coming home to me. Oh, I just can’t stop looking at these beautiful designs. Be still my heart lol!